Honda Unveils Next Generation iOS Car Integration With HondaLink™

Last week, Honda announced Siri “Eyes Free” integration for select Honda and Acura vehicles and today, the company has unveiled HondaLink™, the next generation of its connected-car technology that makes integrated navigation more affordable and intuitive with iOS powered navigation app. The technology will debut in 2014 Honda Civic, followed by 2015 Honda Fit.

Honda’s 2014 Civic equipped with Display Audio marks the company’s first factory installed integration of Siri Eyes Free mode with Siri operation available directly through the steering wheel-mounted controls when a compatible iPhone is paired via Bluetooth. The same will be featured on the all-new 2015 Honda Fit, arriving next spring. Paired with the next generation HondaLink, the system will offer four specialty apps i.e Connect App, Navigation App, Aha™App and the Launcher App.

Connect App – Provides convenient access for many services including location searches, local weather, messaging, Maintenance Minder alerts, service scheduling by phone, and access to the Owners Guide. Users can tap for weather updates and store favorite destinations for quick routing with the Navigation app.

Navigation App – For the first time Honda is offering a comprehensive cloud-based navigation app for purchase2 that includes 3D mapping and continuously updated traffic information. As the first navigation app developed by an automaker with mapping data provided by HERE, a Nokia business, this app offers a variety of location search options including search by point of interest, text search, or previous locations. Routes can be pre-planned on a smartphone and will display on the vehicle’s touchscreen. Turn-by-turn routing guidance is available through the vehicle’s audio system as well.

Launcher App –Finds and organizes Honda-approved 3rd party apps so they can be quickly integrated into the Display Audio system. Approved apps can be found through the Launcher and shown on the Display Audio screen for easy access.

At launch timing, iPhone 5, 5S and 5C will benefit from all the features HondaLink offers. Compatible Android smartphone’s are anticipated to become available next year.

Launcher App: “Honda-approved 3rd party apps so they can be quickly integrated into the Display Audio system”

I thought there was talk of iOS mirroring. I’d much rather be able to access any app (seriusXM, google maps/apple maps, etc) then have them approve them.

I will wait to see what this actually means but I hope they haven’t overly limited it just to push their own apps/crapware.

Hopefully the navigation is better than Honda’s current ones. Ask it to find a Tim Hortons and it gives you the one in upstate new york instead of the one around the corner? It leaves a lot to be desired.

Hopefully all the kinks get worked out in time for the 2016 model when my lease is up!